Question: Can anyone turn their property into dog parks? Where I live, an old house was demolished and the property turned into a dog park. Some time later, another house (same block, but makai) was destroyed and another dog park set up. This one is a fenced-in area and is very popular, which means that every evening between 5 and 6 many neighbors bring their dogs and the loud-barking contest begins. This was a quiet neighborhood before the dog parks were established. Now the dog barking is getting on my nerves. It’s very irritating.
Answer: The general practice apparently is not prohibited on Oahu, although restrictions could apply to specific properties. City ordinance prohibits more than 10 dogs in a household, but wouldn’t seem to apply to canines visiting a property.
We also checked with the Hawaiian Humane Society, and heard back from spokeswoman Allison Gammel, who said:
“Dog parks are a very useful way for responsible owners to socialize and provide both mental and physical stimulation for their pets. The Hawaiian Humane Society is not aware of any law that would prohibit a private-property owner from using their property as a dog park. However, the owner of the dog park would be open to liability claims for any damage or injury that happened on the property. Any unleashed dogs straying from the property would be in violation of the leash law, so a fence would be recommended. Dog owners should also be aware of animal waste laws and be responsible in picking up after their pets. For more information about dog parks, please email advocacy@hawaiianhumane.org.”
The Humane Society supports community efforts to increase the number of off-leash parks on Oahu, and emphasizes that long-term planning, funding, grass-roots support and commitment by volunteers are vital. The nonprofit says there are six official off-leash dog parks on Oahu — at Ala Wai, Diamond Head, Ewa Beach, Hawaii Kai, Mililani Mauka and Moanalua Valley. Five of the six are maintained by volunteers from nonprofit groups, in cooperation with the public-property owners (the city or the state).
We’re not sure that the empty lots you described as “dog parks” are sites of organized activity, or being used casually by residents of nearby high-rise buildings. You described two private parcels in a stretch along or near Dole Street, makai of Maryknoll School, but neither the Humane Society nor the chairman of the area’s neighborhood board had heard of dog parks there (even unofficial ones), and we didn’t see any when we drove through the neighborhood Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
Dale Kobayashi, chairman of the Manoa Neighborhood Board, whose district includes that area, encouraged you to bring your concern to the board, which meets the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at Noelani Elementary School, 2655 Woodlawn Drive. The next meeting is Wednesday.
Q: Are sparklers legal or not on Oahu?
A: Illegal. The only consumer fireworks allowed for personal use are firecrackers bought with a permit and ignited within specified hours on the Fourth of July, New Year’s and Chinese New Year, according to the Honolulu Fire Department. The maximum penalty for anyone convicted of possessing, using or selling illegal fireworks is five years in jail and a $2,000 fine, according to the Honolulu Police Department.
Mahalo
Mahalo for all the guys who worked on the water main breaks over the weekend in the Liliha and Lanakila areas. I spoke to a few of them and they were very informative, courteous and respectful. I appreciate all that. Thank you to all of them, especially the crew that worked on Nalanui Street. — A reader
